John Calvin Commentary Numbers 14:24

"but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." — Numbers 14:24 (ASV)

But my servant Caleb. By synecdoche, Caleb alone is now singled out, although Joshua was a partaker of the same grace, as he had also been a sharer in his courageous conduct. Caleb is especially distinguished because he had, as it were, uplifted the banner and first stood forth to encourage Joshua. The sum of his praise is that he fulfilled⁶¹ to go after God. The word 'will,' which some understand to be implied, is superfluous, since the expression is complete without any addition.

God, therefore, commends Caleb’s perseverance in obeying, because he not only promptly exhorted the others but also proceeded boldly and unhesitatingly, without being deterred by any obstacles. God, however, magnifies his perseverance because he looked to Him alone in his noble conflict with so great a multitude. For it is an extraordinary case for a person to stand firm and to hold a straight course in the midst of violent and tempestuous disturbances, when all the world is, as it were, convulsed.

Although the word רוח, ruach,⁶² is sometimes used for the disposition of the mind, I have no doubt that Moses signifies, by metonymy, that Caleb was thus influenced by divine inspiration.

⁶¹ A.V., “Followed me fully.” “Followed me fully.” “Hebr., he fulfilled after me: so in he fulfilled after me: so in Deuteronomy 1:36, and , and Joshua 14:8.” — Ainsworth. “.” — Ainsworth. “Implevit, subaudi, verbum meum, vel voluntatem meam.” — , subaudi, verbum meum, vel voluntatem meam.” — S.M.

⁶² “This other spirit was the spirit of faith, which the Law cannot give, (was the spirit of faith, which the Law cannot give, (Galatians 3:2) — the spirit of adoption of sons, not of bondage to fear again, ) — the spirit of adoption of sons, not of bondage to fear again, Romans 8:14, 15. By the guidance of this spirit, Caleb constantly followed the Lord, and obtained the promised inheritance.” — Ainsworth.. By the guidance of this spirit, Caleb constantly followed the Lord, and obtained the promised inheritance.” — Ainsworth.